J. Mark Lowe, FUGA

J. Mark Lowe has researched families for over 55 years. He grew up in Tennessee and has extensive family roots in Kentucky. He has traveled extensively in both states and enjoys sharing his love of genealogy and the joy of research with others, including some historical reenacting.

As a researcher and lecturer, Lowe enjoys working with Genealogical groups and professional organizations. He was a former President of the Association of Professional Genealogists, former Vice President, and Secretary of the Federation of Genealogical Societies; in the process of teaching others, Mark built his own skills and insight for research. His experience as a Classroom Teacher, Principal, and Professional Researcher provides a different perspective for each research problem.

Mark lives in Robertson County, Tennessee, which lies in Northern Middle Tennessee along the Kentucky border. With a family history in both states, a knowledge of the interaction of citizens along borders helps Mark resolve difficult issues using often overlooked records. As a national and regional speaker, he has brought these areas of expertise along with his unique humor and Southern style to many diverse audiences.

He is the Coordinator for the IGHR (GGS- Athens GA) Research in the South track, SLIG (UGA) Southern Research (mid-South, Gulf-South), and was awarded the Grahame T. Smallwood Jr. Award by APG in 2007, and a Lifetime Membership Award in 2019.

Mark has published articles and reviews in the Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly (APGQ), SPEAK! (Genealogical Speakers Guild newsletter), The National Genealogical Society Quarterly (NGSQ), The North Carolina Genealogical Society Quarterly, The Longhunter (Southern Ky. Genealogical Society), The Middle Tennessee Genealogical Society Quarterly, and other local society publications. His own publications include Robertson County Tennessee Marriage Book 2, 1859-1873, and Pioneer Cemetery (Bowling Green, Ky.)

May 4, 2024
Hybrid Meeting and Webinar

Please register whether you plan to attend in person
at the library or virtually via Zoom:
OCCGS-05-04-24

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about
joining the Zoom meeting. The Library opens at 9:00 am for in-person attendees.

10:10 AM PDT - Early Tracks and Trails Across the South

Using diaries, journals, and maps, we can locate the paths used by the earliest hunters and those well-noted traces leading families throughout the colonies & beyond. We will examine those tracks and trails followed by the buffalo herds, human feet, and the wagons of early settlement.

11:15 AM PDT - Railroads & Stage Routes Throughout the South and Beyond

Although railroads began to appear in the 1830s, the transcontinental rail was not completed until 1869. Stagecoaches and commercial wagons continued to traverse this country with freight and passengers until automobiles & trucks followed improved roads in the 20th century. Finding timetables, railroad maps, more travelers' guides, and postal contractors' records should make these modes of transportation and their pathways more useful.

Speaker Handouts, when available, can be found in OCCGS Members Only on the Speaker Handouts page.